The Strange But True History of Basketball

Everywhere you turn in the US you will find youths playing basketball. so universal is it that you could be forgiven for thinking that its origins must be steeped in history. Yet, unlike most balls sports, it did not gradually evolved from some ancient roots. In fact, it was a certain Dr. James Naismith who, quite deliberately, invented the game in 1881. And from there it has grown to be one of the most popular sports in the United States. Dr. Naismith was actually born in Canada, and if he hadn't been living in Massachusetts when he created it, it's possible it wouldn't have made such a huge hit.

Before he went to work at the YMCA Training School in Massachusetts, Naismith was the athletics director at the University of McGill in Montreal. It all started because he was trying to find a game for students to play inside during the cold winters. A soccer ball and two peach baskets were used to play the first game. At first a broomstick was used to push the ball out of the basket. Later they cut holes in the bottoms of the baskets, which is how the hoop and net we're used to eventually developed.

YMCA played a key role in popularising the game in USA and the whole world as well. The game is played throughout the world, but nowhere is it as popular as it is in North America.

In 1936 basketball had grown enough that it was a featured event at the Berlin Olympics. These days watching the National Basketball League on television is one of the most popular pastimes. The Basketball Association of America preceded today's NBA. Players in the NBA are some of the highest paid athletes in pro sports.

The first basket ball players to have been paid can be traced back to 7th November, 1896 for the game played between the Trenton Basketball Team and the Brooklyn YMCA. Eventually Basketball broke away from the YMCA and moved into the National Basketball League.

Some of the most famous players have been Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal. Besides basketball they are headliners in tabloids, movies and sometimes even music. These talented players make great role models for inner city youth. Many of the kids embrace the sport of basketball and play it in their neighborhoods.

The NBA Finals are one of the most popular televised sports events in the United States. Everyone loves to cheer on their favorite teams and players. Michael Jordan, or Air Jordan as he was known, brought about much of the popularity in NBA merchandise. Everyone wanted Air Jordan jerseys, shirts, hats, shorts, and of course the ever popular shoes.

Today the NBA is a multi-million dollar association that makes money off of ticket sales, televised games, and merchandise. Many children are kept out of trouble by playing basketball not only in school teams, but with their friends as well. Basketball seems to keep growing in popularity, and the trend doesn't show any signs of slowing down. James Naismith probably had no idea the mega-success his simple game with a ball and two peach baskets would become.

Article Source: http://www.free-article-directory.net

Carlos Lintons is the chief writer for, and editor of FSU Basketball, it's one of the webs most up to date Basketball sites, their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. If you want to read more Basketball articles go to: www.fsubasketball.com/articles
You can get a unique content version of this article.